Jambi authorities investigate death of Sumatran elephant calf

Authorities in Jambi are investigating the death of a Sumatran elephant calf found in a pit within the PT Lestari Asri Jaya (LAJ) concession area in Tebo Regency. The male calf, estimated to be under two years old, was discovered by the Balai Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam (BKSDA) in late August.

BKSDA Jambi is collaborating with the Forestry Law Enforcement Center (Gakkum) of Sumatra to determine if the death was natural or caused by human activity. While investigators initially tested for the elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV), preliminary results from IPB University indicated the virus was not the cause.